The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-24
Disgruntled Delegates to the Con.
vention Get Together.
A Sensational Document Setting
Forth Their Grievances.
Charges that Bad Men Are Using
the Order for Selfish Ends.
Violations OF the Observation-Disclosures
Living In Luxury-The Machinery
of the Order In the Hands
of Corrupt Men.


convention have declared open war with
the executive board of the Knights of
Labor and have issued their declaration OF
independence. On returning from the
convention about thirty-fve delegates, rep
resenting thirteen States, stopped in Chi
cago and determined to bring about re
organization of the order. They elected
provisional committee Of five members, of
which Charles +. Scib was made secretary.
A long communication was drafted at Sec
rotary Seib's Office today, and will be for
warded tomorrow, in circular form, to the
Knights Of Labor all over the country.
The following IL the communication:
CIRCULAR No. IL
"lIEApouAErErs PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE, }
| No. lS EAST WASHINGTON STREET,
| CHICAGO ILL.,, Oct -, ISL
ITO the Rank and File Of the Order Of the knights
| OF Labor
Indignant at the usurpation Of power,
the gross violation of the laws Of the order
by those high in authority, Disguised with
those whose loyalty 10 the present ring
has been gained by the pickings they re-
ceiyc as reward for their services, in
censed at the fawning sycophants who
crawl ON their knees in slayish submission
10 the most corrupt, the most hypocritical,
the most autocraiic and tyrinnical clique
that has ever controlled any labor organ
ization.
1--WE therefore affirm the motto Of our
order, that, when bad men combine, the
good must associate, else they will fall, one
by one, the unpitied sacrifice in u con-
temptible struggle We assert the hour
4
women, We declare ourselves independent
of those who have abused the confidence
rcposcd in them by our order
"Our duty 10 the workingmen and
| women demands that We ut once rcorpanize
the order Of the Knights OF labor on u
basis which will secure the autonomy OF
the trades, and the sovereignty Of the dis
tricis in all matters pertaining Ia their
trade and local affairs; and 10 prevent IL
from being used, in the future, az u ma
chine 10 I'LL the Golfers Of designing and
INSCRIPTIONS men, Us II is by those now in
power.
1--WE affirm the following TO be the reasons
that have compelled this serious action on
our part:
"i. The general Office has been lux
urious haunt for men whose chief aim IL
10 benefit sell, pccuniary and otherwise,
and is no longer the Jerusalem Of the
humble and honest knight.
80. There has been for u year (bcgin-
ming prior TO the Richmond session. an
understanding, which, for the lack Of u
better word. we will call conspiracy, for the
purpose Of holding the salaricd positions,
elective and appointyc, in aud under the
general assembly.
"3. This conspiracy has used the secret
channclsand the funds Of the ordcrtomanu-
iacturc sentiment for certain members and
against others. Certain persons some
times called general lecturers, general
orlalnizcrs, general instructors and gen
cral many other things have been paid cX-
trayagnnt sums, both ~ Wages and tx.
pcnses, when their chief work was 10 fix
certain districts The lobbyists Of railroad
corporations would turn green with envy
did they know the supcratiyc excellence
attained by these bloodsuckcB vi the
Knights Of labor.
81 Ou,anizen' commissions have been
refused 10 members who wcu known Ia
disagree with the methods II the ring,
though the applications were indorscd 10y
the district assembly, 20 which applicant
belonged, and commissions have been ~.
called because Of the refusal Of the holden
TO fall down and worship the powers that
be.
rs. District and local assemblies hay,
, been suspended or expelled and deprived
Of a voice In the general assembly bccaus,
} they were known ~ opponents 10 thu
policy Of the conspiraior.
, 20. Conspiracics have been Matched
, against dissenting members 10y the aid o.
4 corrupt tools In the district assembly Ol
4 local assemblies, or both of such members
! az. The records Of the general oilic,
/. have been fixed and doctorcd ~ ~ 20 rul,
out, or admit, ~ the case might be, gen
cral assembly representatives.
"s Men have been admitted NJ dele
gates % tho general assembly, who clearly
A had unconstitutional right 90 seats, Will,
others have been refused upon technical
: tiles contrary 10 precedent and oHtablishe,
J, custom. In all cases the test was for o
4 against the ring.
q 90. Many thousands Of dollars Of IN,
o orders funds have been illegally cxpcndc'
G frequently against the earnest protest
II Of honest and aw-abiding members.
4 "Extavagant hotel bills contracted b.
a the families Of general officers have beef
% paid out Of the orders funds, as have fam
l. liz laundry and Oar bills.
Funds have been donated and loane
10 officers and their friends for their Owl
personal use.
h General officers, organizers and lcctul
e ers have not only been paid liberal salaric
n and allowed heavy expenses from the get
!, eral treasury, but have charged additions
sums 20 locals and districts.
80 Honest men devoted 10 the cause {
" labor have been made the scapcgoats Of th
=, laundering high officials aud driven In Ill,
W grace from the movement.
~ al. Efforts made by assemblies 10 be
y; fer their condition have been strangled b
~ the ring, Il IL charity 10 say, for no meanC
y. rcayon than In response 10 the clainor
~ the common enemy Of labor.
"I2. The boycott has been used To injul
the labor press, union establishments, an
Inc products Of Knights OF Labor m
~ union labor, for the sole purpose OF dow
e. inq' workingmen and women who coul
ne not be used by the conspirators.
Il "I3 Persons who are not members
r. the order have been provided, for persons
III reasons, with lucrative positions IN q
he general officer.
"a. The constitution has been alterC